الرويلي
07-11-2004, Sun 7:26 AM
THE domestic air travel sector is being opened for new players in a move that will break the monopoly of Saudi Arabian Airlines and lower fares.
Prince Fahad Bin Abdullah Bin Muhammad Al-Saud, assistant minister of Defense and Aviation for Civil Aviation Affairs, said that local airline companies will invest in local air transport.
He said the government has decided to allow the participation of local airline companies and local investors in the Saudi air market because of increasing passenger traffic.
Prince Fahad said that while this will support the economy, it will also provide passengers with cheaper air travel options.At present only Saudi Arabian Airlines (Saudia) operates in the domestic sector.
Prince Fahad said that the Presidency of Civil Aviation is making a comprehensive study of the market and this includes the air routes, passenger traffic, and travel density in different regions.
The Presidency is also laying down estimates for decades to come in order to specify growth areas and determine how to distribute local airline market share in granting licenses to the companies, he said.
Another concern of the Presidency is qualifying the investors in the aviation sector because it is a sensitive area as regards national security. Hence investors must ensure a strong management with experience in the aviation field, he said.
As to the delay in starting the King Abdul Aziz International Airport expansion project, he said the project should take off within months and be completed in about two years.
http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/sgazette/Data/2004/11/7/Art_161573.XML
Prince Fahad Bin Abdullah Bin Muhammad Al-Saud, assistant minister of Defense and Aviation for Civil Aviation Affairs, said that local airline companies will invest in local air transport.
He said the government has decided to allow the participation of local airline companies and local investors in the Saudi air market because of increasing passenger traffic.
Prince Fahad said that while this will support the economy, it will also provide passengers with cheaper air travel options.At present only Saudi Arabian Airlines (Saudia) operates in the domestic sector.
Prince Fahad said that the Presidency of Civil Aviation is making a comprehensive study of the market and this includes the air routes, passenger traffic, and travel density in different regions.
The Presidency is also laying down estimates for decades to come in order to specify growth areas and determine how to distribute local airline market share in granting licenses to the companies, he said.
Another concern of the Presidency is qualifying the investors in the aviation sector because it is a sensitive area as regards national security. Hence investors must ensure a strong management with experience in the aviation field, he said.
As to the delay in starting the King Abdul Aziz International Airport expansion project, he said the project should take off within months and be completed in about two years.
http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/sgazette/Data/2004/11/7/Art_161573.XML